Wind energy developer First Wind has completed the construction of its 34 MW Bull Hill Wind project, and commercial operation of the project has begun.

Located on the ridges of Bull Hill and Heifer Hill in Hancock County, Maine, the project features 19 Vestas V100-1.8 MW wind turbines that generate enough clean energy to power nearly 18,000 homes, according to First Wind.

The electricity generated by the project will be sold to NSTAR under a long-term power purchase agreement, which First Wind won in a competitive solicitation by NSTAR. In August 2011, NSTAR and First Wind entered into a 15-year, fixed-price contract for the output of the project.

Construction on the Bull Hill Wind project started earlier this year. Maine-based contractor Reed & Reed led the construction process and hired mostly Maine-based businesses and subcontractors to work on the project.